Thursday, October 30, 2014

Forest department orders study of fluorosis among lions.

Himanshu Kaushik, TNN | Oct 20, 2014, 01.12AM ISTAHMEDABAD: Gujarat forest department has taken up a study on
fluorosis among the lions in Lathi Liliya area. Anand Veterinary
Institute has been entrusted with the task. The department decided to
take up the study following a finding by two doctors, Dr Jalpan Rupara
and Dr Purvesh Kacha.

The doctors in their report,
"Ecology of Lions in Greater Gir Landscape," had cited ailments plaguing
humans and lions alike. The report revealed that in Amreli, a region
with contaminated ground water, both humans and lions seem to be victims
of fluorosis — a disease characterized by tooth decay and deterioration
of bones and joints due to high content of fluoride in ground water.

Forest officials said that after the issue was highlighted, the
department decided to carry out a study of the fluorosis in the area.
The officials said that the lions are being supplied with water through
tankers. "We are examining post-mortem reports of the deaths from the
area, monitoring the decaying of bones and scrutinizing the number of
teeth found on dead lions."

"In case of lions, the water is supplied through tankers and no
underground water is being used. If the study concludes that the lions
are suffering from fluorosis, a management plan will be drawn up," said C
N Pandey, chief wildlife warden.

The doctors undertook the
study in 250 sq km of Lathi Liliya area having a population of 40 lions,
which threw up surprising findings.

"Out of eight lions
studied, tooth decay was found in three. One lion has lost all but two
of the 26 teeth, second has lost four and third has lost three. These
lions were not reported to have met any accidents. This is intriguing as
lions are not recorded to lose teeth in their lifetime. Minor
deformities in bones were also recorded," said Dr Jalpan Rupara, a
radiologist.

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"If ever you feel like an animal among men, be a LION" -Criss Jami, American Musician and Poet. "Lion: The fiercest and most magnanimous of the four footed beasts" - Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language (1755)

Asiatic Lion Protection Society

Asiatic Lion Protection Society (ALPS) founded in year 2006, is an NGO working mainly for conservation of Asiatic Lion in Gir forest and in Indian Zoos. Main objectives: To compile max. information about Asiatic Lion plus Gir forest and spread it through out the globe by website, blogs, Wikipedia, yahoo groups etc To help protection & conservation of Asiatic Lion & Gir forest by taking up projects like - Building parapets on open wells. - To contact and request nationalize banks of Gir area to put a condition to built parapet on open wells while sanctioning loan to farmers - At the time of festivals, organize camps near temples like Kankai, Banej & Tulsi Shyam to educate tourist to protect wildlife. - To distribute information and awareness leaflets at check-post to visitors using jungle roads. - Make representation & persuade Govt. to make Gir 'A Plastic Free Zone. Similarly contact local civil bodies to make their areas A Plastic free zone. To inform authorities about illegal activities inside the jungle like wood-cutting, removal of forest produce, poaching, illegal grazing etc. To inform authorities about injured wild animals. Also educate locals of Gir forests as well as school/college students to conserve Gir forest, it's wildlife and to represent to Govt. in favor of trans-location of Asiatic Lion to some other good place in Gujarat. P S: We welcome your comments & posts and expect that our conversation will follow the general rules of respectful civil discourse. You’re fully responsible for everything that you submit here in your comments & posts.

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If you wish to travel Gir forest... we will be happy to help, guide and accompany you to explore Gir forest for the best experience. Please contact us for the same.

Gir forest...Gir lies has a topography made up of succession of rugged ridges, isolated hills, plateaus and valleys. Besides, being the last abode of Asiatic lions, Gir forms a unique habitat for ratel, rusty spotted cat, pangolin, ruddy mongoose, civets, paradise flycatcher etc.The overwhelming presence of the omnipotent big cat diverts the attention of the common man from the remarkable bird population that the sanctuary has. However, the birds of Gir sanctuary did attract the great ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali who believed that, had the Asiatic lions not been there, the area would have been one of the most fascinating bird sanctuaries of the country.People mostly link Gir with "Maldharis" who have survived through the ages by having symbiotic relationship with the lion. They are religious pastoral communities living in Gir. Their settlements are called "nesses".At present, Gir forests of Gujarat (India) is the only natural place where this race of lions i.e. Asiatic lion is found.